Performing as a DJ requires understanding of several things.

  • understanding beats/bars, song compositional structures, basic FX such as filters
  • technical knowledge of both hardware (decks, speakers/interfaces, cables) and software equipment
  • reading a room

More advanced skills:

  • learning keys to mix between / transpose
    • learning about each key’s relative minor
    • understanding the camelot wheel (circle of fifths) to mix harmonically
  • having an array of transitions in toolkit
  • playing with energy using FX
  • micro-edits to make live
  • scratching